November 10, 2011

How to Talk to Your Child's Teacher

Many parents are afraid of meeting with their child's teacher.  It is perfectly normal to worry about seeing eye-to-eye in regards to the child's learning.  Fortunately, there is no real need to worry: both you and your child's teacher have his best interest at heart. Here are some tips on how to obtain and maintain a healthy parent/teacher relationship!

Don't be defensive.
Teachers and parents are on the same team.  Just because an educator says something you make not like, you still share a common goal: your child's success. In being defensive, you might prevent your counterpart from approaching you over other concerns.  Make it clear you respect your child's teacher, and hope that respect will be reciprocated.

Ask questions.
Neither parents nor teachers are mind readers.  Speak up if something seems off.  Ask questions about how the class is run and share information about how learning occurs at home.  Ask direct questions with the positive attitude that any problem can be solved if you, the teacher, and your child work together. 

Offer your own ideas. 
Some children behave and learn differently while at home.  You are the best expert on your own child.  Offer your suggestions on what works for you. Think of it as a collaboration.  If there are concerns about the teacher's style or performance, speak frankly and respectfully, and never in front of your child.  Remember to also share praise and happy thoughts!  Letting a teacher know how much your child loves his or her class not only imparts good feelings but may make the teacher more open to future concerns. 

Communicate consistently.
It is both the parent and the teacher's responsibility to keep each other informed.  Is the child doing his or her homework?  Is the student struggling in class?  What has improved since your last meeting?  These are all important questions for both the parent and teacher team.  You should feel at ease making arrangements to speak together.  It not only makes you feel good about the child's progress, but it shows that you are interested and involved!

Building a good parent/teacher relationship is all about helping the student.  When teachers and parents are partners, a child has an even better chance for success!